The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-13
A DOCTORS CONFESSION.
The Quiet Ways in Which Physicians Adver-
tise Themselves to the Public.

New York Mail.
81 have been trying to impress people all my
life, and that has been my success" says a rich
and popular physician. IT live in big, hand
some house-to impress people I talk about my
income-to impress people. To impress people, /
have the handsomest horses and carriages can
buy. havea big retinue of servants and a high
priced chef. But want to talk about somethin 6
else now. At times grow so tired of it all that
no language can describe my fatigue
'sYou seem to have found some nepenthe in
literary work9"
What do you meana Oh, that magazine arti-
Gle. Well. I'll confess to you that that is done
simply to have my name in print and if posi-
BILE to get it and keep it before the public.
There is copy of the magazine in my reception
room. Patients who are waiting to see me pick
it up and read the article and-are impressed.
Authorship goes long way with some people.
But I'll tell you confdentially because feel like
confessing this afternoon, that the article in
question and others have written. were taken
practically out of textbooks, which, so far as the
medical profession is concerned readily
accessible. I am not by any means, the only
successful physician who uses this simple device
for the purpose of securing little healthy
publicity. Magazine articles, monographs and
letters to the newspapers are recognized adver-
Using mediums in the medical profession. If
the monographs do not reach the great reading
public directly, they reach the newspapers, and
your name becomes familiar in the newspaper
offices that of good man to interview when
anything special of medical character comes
up When reporters come here decline to be
interviewed, as it is unprofessional. but all the
same give them every information IN my pow
er. They respect my confidence and when the
opportunity comes they advertise me. 1 think
the in the profession whose incomes
over ST., 900 year can be easily counted. Now,
my income"
The doctor paused for moment and laughed.
Il won't mention the figures. / usually give
out" he said s'but I'll say this much; my income
is considerably over $4,000 and may add that
when physician earns as much as hatannually
he has to do good deal of work. have Office
hours in the morning and see from 25 to 35 peo-
nil tiDp her abO T
average five patients an hour up to o'clock It
is seldom that fail to see 20 in that time There
are two months during the summer when l do.
little or nothing. But manage to make out
very well nevertheless"
It seemed difficult to realize that the medical
student of ten twelve years previous
the proprietor of this handsome establishment.
He saw my puzzled look and exclaimed:
''Oh, it wasn't difficult to get here. 1 de-
termined to do so when started, and then was
somewhat fortunate. You remember what a
society devotee was? That was the beginning
of my plan. / went everywhere that was in
vited. and made all the acquaintance that I
could. joined an amateur theatrical associ-
alton. and met great many people in this way
who were valuable to me. Above ALL managed
to get my name in the newspapers as 'rising
young DOCTOR" Before had graduated knew
a number of people. Then went to a fashion
able church and made new set of acquaintance.
/ hunted introductions as dog hunts truf1es.
1t all served in the end, and served WE'LL